Bangladesh have turned to experience for next week’s three-match one-day series at home to Australia, recalling Mosaddek Hossain and Nurul Hasan after lengthy absences. Both come in for the opening two fixtures, with Mahidul Islam and Afif Hossain making way.
Mosaddek, now 30, last played an ODI in August 2022. That gap has not dulled his form: in this season’s Dhaka Premier League he has a hundred, two fifties and an average of 89 from five innings, plus 11 wickets with his steady off-spin. Selectors hope that blend of runs and overs will give balance to a middle order that has misfired in recent months.
Chief selector Habibul Bashar explained the thinking. “We couldn’t provide Afif and Mahidul with lot of opportunities. Replacing them is a tactical change,” he said. “Mosaddek could bat at No. 6. He is in good form. He has more skills to offer. He is in good form in the DPL. He also has all-round ability. He bowls quite well. He could offer a balance for us in the middle-order.”
Nurul, 32, also last featured in August 2022 and slots in as the reserve wicketkeeper behind Litton Das. Bashar added: “Nurul Hasan is replacing Mahidul because the latter is a top-order batter. Nurul bats around No. 6 or 7 as a wicketkeeper-batter. We believe Nurul is more skillful in that position.”
Recent batting returns explain the reshuffle. Only Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto scored heavily during April’s tour of New Zealand; Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy struggled to convert starts; Mehidy Hasan Miraz, outstanding with the ball, has not matched his 2022-23 batting form. Against an Australian attack that mixes raw pace with canny spin, Bangladesh need sturdier middle-order contributions.
Bowling, by contrast, remains a relative strength. Nahid Rana’s emergence – five-wicket hauls in both Tests and ODIs since March – has freshened the pace unit, which is again led by Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, familiar with several Australian batters from a Big Bash stint last winter, offers an attacking wrist-spin option alongside left-armer Tanvir Islam.
Australia arrive for their first bilateral ODI series in Bangladesh since 2009. The sides meet in Mirpur on 9, 11 and 14 June. Memories of the Tigers’ lone ODI win over Australia, the 2005 Cardiff upset, still linger, though the visitors have dominated head-to-head clashes since.
For Bangladesh, the immediate task is clear: tighten up the batting, keep the bowling standards high, and see if home conditions can tilt the balance. Mosaddek’s selection signals faith in domestic performances; now he must transfer that touch to the international stage.
Squad for the first two ODIs
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.
